HIMCOM-Heritage Institute of Management & Communication

 A sudden catastrophe in the Himalayas Nepal has been left confronting a major humanitarian emergency after a devastating flash flood swept through parts of the country's Himalayan river valleys on 26 August. The event began in the high mountains and rapidly developed into a powerful surge of water, mud, rocks and debris, moving downstream through narrow valleys with little time for communities to react. The disaster was concentrated around the Lhende Khola and Bhote Koshi river systems before the flood moved into the Trishuli corridor. Rasuwa was among the worst-affected districts, while Nuwakot, Dhading and areas farther downstream also suffered extensive damage. Illustrative flow of the disaster from the Himalayan headwaters to downstream communities. Editorial schematic; not to scale.   The human cost   • More than 900 deaths: Nepal's reported death toll had crossed 900 by 31 August, although figures remain subject to change as rescue teams reach isolated areas. ...